Any condition or injury of the spinal cord is a severe matter to the patient and the doctor who treats these patients. Spinal cord compression isn’t a condition that passes by itself; it only causes the symptoms to worsen over time if the patient doesn’t seek medical assistance.
The patient will show signs of deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae in their back or neck, which act as a shock absorber that keeps the channels open for nerves to flow through. Nerves leaving and entering the spinal column carry signals between the body and brain, so naturally, the function will be affected.
When the brain can’t successfully supply instruction to a part of the body or the message it receives is construed, the patient will have varied physical responses. Below are some of the symptoms medical professionals will observe in a patient with spinal cord compression:
Pain or Stiffness In Some Body Parts
One of the first signs patients will report to their doctor is pain or stiffness in some of their body parts. The pain and stiffness typically come and go at first but worsen over time as the condition progresses. Patients will seek medical attention from their doctor, who’ll refer them for other treatments or therapies.
The first go-to therapy for these patients will be chiropractor treatments that could bring them some relief from the pain and stiffness they experience. Ongoing sessions will assist them over time to improve function in the affected area.
Numbness, Cramps, Or Weakness In Some Areas
Another common symptom of spinal compression is numbness or tingling in some areas of the body, especially those that connect to the nerves affected by the added pressure in the spinal cord. It may also cause cramps or weakness, which could worry these patients.
They may struggle to open jars, have trouble keeping themselves upright, or even avoid postures or body positions that cause further pain or aggravate the symptoms. Their inability to support their body correctly may lead to secondary complications that chiropractic treatment or a physiotherapist must address.
Loss of Sensation In the Extremities
Patients are less inclined to worry about a bit of numbness in their fingers or toes, and most don’t realize it until they consciously try to think about it like when doctors test for sensation in their extremities. Where numbness may fluctuate, the patient’s loss of feeling could be more constant, and some patients could even receive a referral for neck surgery, among other procedures.
Many become seriously concerned when they lose feeling in other areas of their bodies like between their legs, the back of their thighs, and their buttocks. These symptoms are severe, and when patients notice any loss of sensation, especially in those areas, they should seek medical assistance immediately by going to the emergency room or seeing their doctor immediately.
Muscle Coordination Issues
Muscles of the body coordinate with each other to provide the person with the functions they need to perform daily. If the coordination between muscles and signals from the brain that gives the instructions are out of sync, the patient will have reduced function in those body parts.
The person may think they want to pick up an item, but that message never reaches their hand muscles to properly grab and hold onto the thing they were thinking of getting. Uncoordinated leg muscles could make it difficult for a person to move their legs, sit properly, or walk.
Total Loss of Function or Control
In more severe or advanced stages of spinal compression, the patient could exhibit a total loss of function or control over certain bodily functions like in the case of spinal injuries. They may lose control over their bowels or bladder, making for an embarrassing situation for the patient.
Another function that’ll often suffer from spinal compression is the sexual function, which could be distressing to patients who previously had no issues in this area. These symptoms are enough for a patient to be admitted for emergency medical treatment by a multidisciplinary team.
Conclusion
Although any strange feelings or sensations in the body worry patients, doctors, and other medical professionals will be more concerned, especially when there’s a significant loss of function. Spinal compression can cause many issues for the patient, but the excruciating pain that some report is usually one of the most debilitating symptoms.
One of the most successful treatments to relieve some of the discomforts of these patients is chiropractic sessions, among other procedures. Depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms they experience, the medical professionals will do their best to assist these patients to live a full and happy life even with their spinal compression.
